IELTS Speaking Sample: Describe an activity affected by the weather

Sample Article: Describe an activity affected by the weather

• When and where it happened

• Who was involved

• What the activity was

• And what you did after the activity was stopped

Người học có thể triển khai bài nói với những gợi ý dưới đây theo cấu trúc IWHC

Introduction

Anyone who is a big fan of tennis definitely knows the name of tennis legend Novak Djokovic.

When and where it happened

And today I’m going to tell you about the story of how I skipped school to watch the big game that didn’t happen between Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem at the 2017 Roland Garros.

Who was involved

You know, I’ve been fascinated by the wonderful world of tennis since I first discovered the sport. My dad and I would always just sit around like a pair of couch potatoes whenever a big tennis competition was on. Novak has long been my hero on the court while my father has always been a big fan of Roger Federer. I always love watching a tennis match with my favourite player, whether he wins or loses, and I still love him either way because that’s just the way things go sometimes. I still admire his sportsmanship and talent and the way he elegantly yet powerfully moves on the court.

What the activity was

On this particular day though of the quarterfinals Novak had to defeat Thiem to go through to the semi-final and I was so excited to watch this game because Novak had previously lost the Roland Garros cup before two years in a row. Unfortunately, I had an unavoidable mid-term test that day which meant it was impossible for me to watch the game live. But after wrestling with my conscience, I decided to tell a lie to my dad so that I could stay at home to watch the match. However, the weather in Paris that day turned out to be so terrible that the game was cancelled.

And what you did after the activity was stopped

I felt so guilty when I found out that the game was cancelled, and I got into big trouble by my dad for not showing up to take the mid-term test at school.

Reference Vocabulary

• a big fan of (phrase): một fan hâm mộ nhiệt thành của ai - really like something

• legend (noun): huyền thoại– somebody who is famous or admired, a hero

• skip school (phrase): trốn học – didn’t go to school

• the big game: trận đấu quan trọng– a sporting match that is important or will be watched by many people

• to be fascinated by (adjective): mê hoặc bởi, say mê với -  to be extremely interested in or captivated by something or someone

• couch potatoes (noun phrase): những người chỉ thích ngồi một chỗ, không thích vận động – someone who watches a lot of television and does very little exercise

• just the way things go (phrase): như cách mọi việc diễn ra – the way something happens

• sportsmanship (noun): tinh thần thể thao – the quality of showing fairness and respect while playing sport

• talent (noun): tài năng – a natural or good ability to do something

• Elegantly (adverbs): uyển chuyển -  done gracefully or beautifully

• quarterfinals (noun): vòng tứ kết - any of the four games in a competition that decides which players or teams will play in the two semifinals

• defeat (verb): đánh bại, thất bại – to beat or win against

• Semi-final (noun): bán kết - one of the two games that are played to decide who will take part in the final game of a competition:

• two years in a row (phrase): hai năm liên tiếp - something has occurred or been repeated for two consecutive years without interruption or break.

• unavoidable (adjective): không thể tránh được, tất yếu – cannot be stopped

• live (adjective): trực tiếp – shown or broadcast as it is happening

• wrestling with my conscience (phrase): đấu tranh với lương tâm – struggling to make a decision because you know you are or might be doing something wrong

• get into big trouble (phrase): gặp rắc rối lớn - find oneself in a serious or significant problem or difficulty

• show up (phrasal verb): xuất hiện, hiện diện – going or being somewhere

Conclusion

Missing the anticipated match was deeply disappointing, but it reminded me of the importance of integrity and responsibility. Since then, I've committed to prioritizing my obligations and making choices that reflect my values.

Conclusion

Reference Source

• Collins Dictionary, https://www.collinsdictionary.com/

• Cambridge Dictionary, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/